Editor’s observe: The beneath comprises spoilers for Episodes 1-9 of Andor.One of the refreshing issues about Andor is that it looks like it is the primary Star Wars sequence that isn’t tied to the Jedi and the Skywalker saga. Though The Mandalorian began off as a western on the outskirts of the galaxy, untouched by the occasions of the core storyline, it in the end tied into acquainted characters like Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison), Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Star Wars followers wouldn’t be blamed for feeling just like the universe was solely getting smaller.
Fortunately, Andor creator Tony Gilroy has indicated that he’s not involved in doing pointless fan service. Though we’ll see acquainted characters like Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) and Noticed Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), Gilroy says they’re there for the aim of the story. Andor is a spy thriller set within the Star Wars universe, and the change of tempo helps differentiate it among the many different ongoing tasks that Disney+ has lined up.
Though Andor comes from the attitude of a self-described “non-superfan,” there are nonetheless some references and callbacks that eagle-eyed followers could have picked up on. Listed here are a number of the hidden particulars in Andor you’ll have missed.
“5 B.B.Y.”
The opening of the pilot episode options an fascinating title card, which notes the yr as “5 B.B.Y.” It’s the primary time in any of the Disney+ reveals that the yr is particularly referred to as out. Within the Star Wars universe, occasions are tracked based mostly on their relation to the unique movie from 1977. “B.B.Y.” means “Earlier than Battle of Yavin,” so this implies Andor begins 5 years earlier than the occasions of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (and by affiliation, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story).
Cassian Makes use of A WTK-85A
When Cassian leaves Morlana One, he escapes on a WTK-85A transport with a purpose to keep away from detection. He’s in the end tracked down by Syril Karn (Kyle Soller). This transport first appeared in Star Wars: The Pressure Awakens; it’s the ship that leaves a younger Rey in her nightmare sequence. It later seems in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Cassian’s Stuffed Bantha
Though Andor appears like the primary Star Wars present that doesn’t really feel the necessity to return to Tatooine, we did get one reminder of the creatures from the desert planet. When Maarva Andor (Fiona Shaw) walks by way of a younger Cassian’s (known as “Kassa”) childhood room, there’s a quick shot of a stuffed Bantha toy. It’s truly not the primary time we see an opulent Bantha within the Star Wars universe; Chewbacca’s (Peter Mayhew) son Lumpy has an almost similar toy in The Star Wars Vacation Particular.
Republic Gunships
The flashbacks to Kassa’s childhood on Kenari happen proper earlier than the Clone Wars. Maarva in the end decides to take Kassa along with her when she realizes that Republic forces are incoming, and that he could also be in peril. We see just a few LAAT (Low Altitude Assault Transports) flying in the direction of their location. These transport vessels have been first seen through the Battle of Geonosis in Star Wars: Episode II – Assault of the Clones, and are often featured in The Clone Wars.
Reference to Wobani
Within the first episode, Timm Karlo (James McArdle) asks Cassian and Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) if they’re “bidding on the Wobani run.” Cassian truly does find yourself visiting the planet, nevertheless it’s not for a few years later. He rescues Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) from a Wobani jail in Rogue One.
“Caf” and Star Wars Drinks
Star Wars has its personal model of drinks, such because the “blue milk” and “jawa juice.” We get a have a look at one thing barely extra acquainted within the second episode when Bix asks for a cup of “caf.” That is the Star Wars universe’s equal of espresso. Though the time period was first coined by Peter M. Schweighofer in 1996 within the brief story “Hasty Exit,” it was introduced into the fashionable canon in 2014 with John Jackson Miller’s novel A New Daybreak.
Reference to Fest
Cassian has to cover the truth that he’s from Kenari to hide his identification, so he pretends that he’s truly from a planet referred to as “Fest.” The official sourcebook for Rogue One mentions that Fest was a regional base for the Insurgent Alliance, however the planet has additionally appeared in lots of Legends tales. The planet comprises an Imperial base within the 1995 online game Star Wars: Darkish Forces.
Bryar Pistol
When Cassian and Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgard) are pinned down by Pre-Mor officers in “Reckoning,” Cassian brandishes a Ok-16 Bryar Pistol to defend himself. That is one other callback to early Star Wars video games; gamers might use these weapons in most of the Darkish Forces adventures. It was introduced again into the fashionable canon because of the reboot of Star Wars: Battlefront.
Separatist Insignia
When a younger Kassa explores the crashed spacecraft on Kenari, there are just a few indications that the crew have been officers from the Confederacy of Unbiased Techniques. The insignia of the Separatists may be seen on an officer’s uniform. Maarva mentions that Kassa’s companions killed a Republic officer, so maybe she is holding secrets and techniques from her younger companion.
The Y-Wing and T-47 In The Shipyard
Throughout Cassian’s escape, we are able to see just a few acquainted starships. Among the many ships he passes by to get to the transport is a Y-Wing; these ships first appeared in A New Hope through the Battle of Yavin, however The Clone Wars revealed that they have been initially created by the Galactic Republic to function bombers. We will additionally spot a T-16 Skyhopper, the smaller ship that could be a childhood favourite of Luke’s. In A New Hope, Luke mentions that he used to “bullseye womprats in my T-16” throughout his youth.
Z-47 Speeder Bikes
Cassian and Luthen escape from the Pre-Mor officers on a Z-47 Speeder Bike. These speeders first appeared in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi; Luke and Leia (Carrie Fisher) should pilot the bikes with a purpose to chase down fleeing Imperial Scouts. Much like the Y-Wings, it’s defined within the Star Wars canon that they have been initially created through the Clone Wars period. Clones use these speeders within the Republic Commando video games.
The Battle of Mimban
After leaping to hyperspace with Rae in Episode 4, “Aldhani,” Cassian discusses his experiences combating within the Battle of Mimban. The planet Mimban was first launched in Splinter of the Thoughts’s Eye, an Expanded Universe novel written by Alan Dean Foster in 1978. The planet Mimban itself later seems in Solo: A Star Wars Story through the sequence the place a younger Han (Alden Ehrenreich) is combating within the trenches.
Kyber Crystals
Mimban isn’t the one Splinters of the Thoughts’s Eye connection in “Aldhani.” Rael presents Cassian a kyber crystal necklace as cost for involvement within the heist. Kyber crystals have been first launched in the identical 1978 guide, however they’re additionally what powers lightsabers. Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) wears the same kyber crystal necklace given to her by her father, Galen (Mads Mikkelsen), in Rogue One.
The Rakatan Invaders
When discussing the necklace, Rael mentions that it “celebrates the rebellion in opposition to the Rakatan invaders.” The Rakatan alien species are a part of the lore of the Knights of the Outdated Republic online game sequence. The traditional amphibious race created a strong “Infinite Empire,” and vanquished different species in occasions that happen 30,000 years earlier than the Skywalker saga.
Luthen Rael’s Gallery
When Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) meets with Luthen Rael in his gallery, you possibly can spot many Easter eggs. Among the many objects in his store are the armor worn by Starkiller in The Pressure Unleashed video games, a Twi’lek kalikori, Plo Koon’s respiratory masks, a pill of the World Between Worlds from Star Wars Rebels, a number of holocrons, and even Indiana Jones’ bullwhip.
Scarif
Throughout the Imperial Safety Bureau assembly, a member of the council mentions a setpack on the Imperial challenge on Scarif. In Rogue One, Scarif is the location of the analysis facility that homes the Demise Star plans. It’s the place Cassian meets his destiny when the floor is destroyed by the superweapon’s laser.
Arvala-Six
Throughout the identical ISB assembly, Main Partagaz (Anton Lesser) mentions one other disturbance on Arvala-Six. Though Arvala-Six hasn’t but been seen within the Star Wars universe, Arvala-Seven is the place Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) discovers Grogu within the first season of The Mandalorian.
Blue Milk
When Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) has a clumsy encounter along with his mom, Eedy (Kathryn Hunter), he may be seen consuming a bowl of cereal with blue milk. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) drinks the same blue liquid in Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope along with his household on the Lars Homestead. “Blue milk” has been a recurring joke throughout the Star Wars franchise; you possibly can even strive some for your self for those who cease by the Galaxy’s Edge resort in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Lieda Mothma
“The Axe Forgets” marks the primary look of Mon Mothma’s daughter, Lieda (Bronte Carmichael). Lieda is lifted from the older Star Wars Legends universe. Her title was first given in 1993 within the Darkish Empire Sourcebook, which defined that she served along with her mom within the New Republic after the Battle of Endor.
Different Planets
Throughout Dedra Meero’s (Denise Gough) assembly concerning the planets suspected of insurgent actions, a number of acquainted areas are name-dropped. She mentions Jakku (the desert world from The Pressure Awakens), Hosnian Prime (a planet destroyed by Starkiller Base in The Pressure Awakens), Kessell (the mining world from Solo: A Star Wars Story), and Fondor (an Expanded Universe planet first talked about within the 1979 novel Han Solo at Stars’ Finish).
A Shocking ‘Indiana Jones’ Connection
Luthen Rael has managed to gather a plethora of artifacts in his store. Among the many new objects glanced in “The Axe Forgets” are a Jedi and Sith holocron, in addition to the Sankara Stones from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Krayt Head
Cassian identifies the tattoos written within the Star Wars language Aurebesh that Arvel Skeen has. Though the title “Krayt Head” is revealed to be an Imperial base, Krayt dragons are monstrous creatures that reside on Tatooine. Obi-Wan (Alec Guinness) emulates the sound of a Krayt dragon to scare the Tusken Raiders in A New Hope, and Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) fights one within the season 2 premiere of The Mandalorian.
“By The Hand”
The opposite tattoo that Cassian identifies reads “by the hand.” Whereas this isn’t given any context, it’s potential that it’s a reference to the “Emperor’s Fingers” from the Expanded Universe. The Emperor’s Fingers have been a gaggle of spies and assassins that reported on to Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Amongst their most notable members was Mara Jade, who in the end turns into Luke’s spouse within the Star Wars Legends universe.
A Former Stormtrooper
The Aldhani insurgent Taramyn Barcona (Gershwyn Eustache Jr.) is revealed to be a former Imperial Stormtrooper who defected from the Empire. After the tip of the Clone Wars, the Empire started biking out former clone troopers and changing them with new recruits. This course of was explored within the first season of Disney+’s The Dangerous Batch.
A Return To The Senate
Andor returns to the halls of the Imperial Senate when Mon Mothma provides one other impassioned speech concerning the Ghorman disaster. The pods that the Senators journey in are new, as many have been destroyed through the battle between Yoda (Frank Oz) and Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
Dr. Quadpaw
“The Eye” introduces a brand new character, Dr. Quadpaw (Aidan Cook dinner), who makes an attempt to supply important help to Nemik (Alex Lawther) after his accidents. Though Quadpaw’s species hasn’t been recognized, he bears a slight resemblance to The Pressure Awakens’ Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o). Quadpaw’s cybernetic enhancements are just like those worn by Lobot (John Hollis) in Star Wars: Episode V- The Empire Strikes Again.
“Echo”
Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) makes use of the decision signal “Echo.” The Insurgent Alliance finally names their stronghold “Echo Base” in The Empire Strikes Again. Nonetheless, Echo can also be the title of a fan-favorite clone trooper in The Dangerous Batch. Echo survived the primary season of the sequence, so maybe he discovered himself in league with the early Insurgent leaders at one level.
“Devaron Blue”
A buyer in Rael’s store asks for an merchandise in “Devaron Blue.” The Devaronians are a species of aliens that first appeared within the Star Wars franchise through the Mos Eisley Cantina scene in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) and Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) go to Deveron to save lots of Jedi Grasp Bolla Ropal (Dee Bradley Baker) within the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode “Cargo of Doom.”
The Sith Stalker Armor
Among the many new objects in Rael’s store in “The Eye” is a go well with of Sith Stalker armor. This armor and helmet have been utilized by Galen Marek/Starkiller (Sam Witwer) within the non-canon online game Star Wars: The Pressure Unleashed- Final Sith Version.
The HoloNews
There are a number of references to the Star Wars universe’s premiere journalistic outlet, the HoloNews. Based on John Jackson Miller’s canon novel A New Daybreak, the Empire controls the HoloNews instantly and makes use of it as a supply of propaganda.
Admiral Yularen
Throughout the ISB safety assembly, the older Imperial officer talking is none aside from Colonel Yularen (Malcolm Sinclair). Wullf Yularen was a background Imperial officer in A New Hope, however he had a extra distinguished function within the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie and sequence. Tom Kane voiced a model of the character that grew to become a detailed pal and ally to Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter).
Fertha’s Robes
Throughout Mon Mothma’s occasion, Fertha seems to be carrying some brown robes that look considerably like those worn by the Jedi. Nonetheless, this can be a pretty widespread outfit within the Star Wars universe, which might clarify why Obi-Wan Kenobi was capable of put on them on Tatooine with out his identification being detected.
Ord Mantell
The ISB assembly mentions Ord Mantell, a Mid-Rim planet that was first introduced up by Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Again. The heroic former Clone Pressure 99 members lead a mission to Ord Mantell within the first season of The Dangerous Batch.
Probe Droids
Throughout Cassian’s escape from the Imperial Shoretroopers, we see that there’s an elevated safety state and the monitoring of civilians. It’s additionally the place we get a glimpse of the Imperial probe droids, which first debuted on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Again.
Stormtroopers and Clone Troopers
Stormtroopers lastly pop up on Andor, however we additionally see some flashbacks to the “Section II” Clone Trooper armor. This doesn’t give an actual timeline indication, as this armor was adopted through the center of the Clone Wars and remained for a quick time after the Empire rose to energy.
Separatist Propaganda
Mothma mentions to Tay Kolma (Ben Miles) that she has been thought-about a “Separatist” due to her anti-Imperialist views. This is able to seemingly counsel that the Empire has put in propaganda methods that examine insurgent items to the Confederacy of Unbiased Techniques from the Clone Wars.
KX Safety Droids
Cassian is sort of choked to dying by a KX-series safety droid. Whereas these droids have been among the many Empire’s most deadly enforcers, we all know Cassian in the end reprograms and befriend Ok-2SO (Alan Tudyk) earlier than Rogue One.
Belsavis
One of many planets talked about as a possible Imperial jail is “Belsavis,” a reputation that is likely to be acquainted to followers of the Legends universe. Within the Star Wars: The Outdated Republic MMORPG, Belsavis was an icy world that the Galactic Republic used to imprison Sith Lords.
Noticed Gerrera
“Narkina 5” marks the primary look by Forest Whitaker as Noticed Gerrera in Andor. Though Whitaker first performed the function in Rogue One, the character originated in a Season 5 storyline of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Noticed and his allies Melshi and Two-Tubes from Rogue One kind a maverick group of rebels who select to not affiliate with the Insurgent Alliance. Noticed even disparages Luthen’s allies as “Separatists.”
Andy Serkis
One of many extra shocking cameos in Andor to date was an look by Andy Serkis as Kino Loy, a veteran prisoner of Narkina 5 who introduces Cassian to his new life. This isn’t Serkis’ first look within the Star Wars saga, as he supplied the voice and motion-capture efficiency for Supreme Chief Snoke in The Pressure Awakens and The Final Jedi.
Tunqstoid Metal
It’s talked about that most of the surfaces within the Narkina 5 Imperial jail, together with the flooring, are manufactured from Tungstoid Metal, a strong metallic that’s nearly impervious to penetration. Tungstoid Metal is first talked about within the Legend novel Destiny of the Jedi: Abyss, the place it’s revealed to be one of many few substances that may resist the Pressure.
THX-1138
The jail on Narkina 5 has many putting visible parallels to George Lucas’ first characteristic movie, THX-1138. Based mostly on a pupil movie he shot when he was learning on the College of Southern California, THX-1138 explores a totalitarian future the place police implement a coverage of not expressing emotion. The stark white jail, shock workers, and nihilistic visuals in “Narkina 5” are a pleasant homage to the saga’s creator.
Mon Mothma’s Organized Marriage
Throughout her husband Perrin Fertha’s occasion, Mon Mothma reveals that the 2 have been in an organized conventional marriage within the customized of her homeworld. This does clarify why she’s married to somebody who doesn’t appear to share any of her political beliefs. Mothma additionally signifies that she was elected on the age of 16. Younger girls being positioned in positions of energy isn’t uncommon within the Star Wars universe; Padme turns into Queen of Naboo at 14 in The Phantom Menace, and Leia is elected to the Imperial Senate when she is eighteen.
Imperial Torture
Episode 9, “No person’s Listening!” encompasses a grueling torture sequence the place Meero straps Bix to a chair and calls for solutions about Cassian. Though this kind of torture headset is a primary within the Star Wars universe, it bears some similarities to the torture unit that interrogates Leia (Carrie Fisher) in A New Hope and the chair Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) is strapped to in The Pressure Awakens.
Ulaf
Along with beloved fan favorites like Andy Serkis, Andor additionally options some quintessential character actors who’ve been chopping their enamel throughout the business for many years. Christopher Fairbank, who performs Ulaf, has dozens of movie and tv credit to his title, together with transient roles in Batman, The Fifth Aspect, Aliens 3, Guardians of the Galaxy, and the final two Pirates of the Caribbean motion pictures.
Galactic Banks
Tay Kolma (Ben Miles) is given the delicate function of shifting Chandrilan funds round with a purpose to help Mothma in her resistance efforts. The Empire has basically taken management of the Galactic economic system; within the sixth season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the Republic takes over the Banking Clan’s operation on Scipio after the dying of the brand new chairman Rush Clovis (Robin Atkin Downes).
Jondara
It’s briefly talked about that there was a Separatist assembly on the planet Jondara, which is maybe a reference to the planet Jondara from the Star Wars: The Outdated Republic MMORPG. Jondara is a black market commerce heart that homes smugglers and bounty hunters.
Kafrene
One other planet that’s name-dropped is Kafrene, a world that can play an necessary function in Cassian’s future. Cassian meets with a Insurgent Alliance spy within the “Ring of Kafrene” throughout his introductory scene in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
